Amusement apparatus control



July 22, 1941. BECHTQL 2,249,805

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS CONTROL Filed Oct. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zY/J ATTORN July 22, 1941. H, BEHTL 2,249,805

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS CONTROL Filed Oct. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /'5. ATTORNEY.

Patented July 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims. 01

This invention pertains to control apparatus, more particularly to a remote control system especially adapted for use with amusement apparatus such as electric shooting gallery devices,

automatic phonographs, and also devices such as merchandise dispensing machines, automatic photographing apparatus and the like.

instrumentality and adapted to be set up in a public place, the operation of the control being such that one desiring to use the amusement or like machine may actuate the control instrumentality thereon to give a signal at the main;

remote control, whereupon the proprietor or other attendant may operate the remote control mechanism to release the control instrumentality of the amusement or other device for further effective operation by the patron.

It is another object to provide a remote control system for amusement and like apparatus in which the latter is released for operation by the patron responsive to a preliminary signal transmitted by him to a remote control cabinet by operation of a signal button or lever, whereupon the attendant at the remote control releases the amusement or other device for operation, and. there being mechanism provided in the remote control for automatically permitting a predetermined number of operations of the controlled device.

It is a further object to provide in a remote control mechanism of the class described, automatic means for permitting a predetermined number of operations of the controlled device and automatically indicating the number of operations by a patron at the remote control.

Yet another object is the provision of. a remote control device for amusement and similar apparatus operable to release the controlled device for operation by a patron responsive to a signal transmitted by the latter to the remote control panel and adjustable means at the remote control device for selectively conditioning the amusement device for a determined number of operations, each operation being visually indicated both at the amusement device and remote control panel.

Still another object is the provision of a combination of an amusement device having an operating instrumentality arranged for a normal ineffective or idle movement and a remote control device including signal means actuated by idle stroke operation of the control instrumentality in the amusement device, electrical means in the amusement device for freeing the operating instrumentality for effective or full stroke movement to operate the amusement device and electrical means selectively operable at the remote control device for determining the number of operations of the control instrumentality, and means for automatically latching the control instrumentality against effective operation when the determined number of operations have been completed.

Astill further object is the provision of remote control mechanism for use in combination with amusement, entertainment, and dispensing apparatus, the remote control mechanism being selectively operable to permit a determined number of operations of the controlled amusement or other device, and automatic visual indicating means both at the remote control and the amusement or other apparatus for indicating the number of times the controlled device has been operated, to-

' gether with automatic time limit means for rendering the amusement apparatus inoperable. after a determined period, shouldthe patron not avail himself of the determined number of operations.

Other novel aspects of the invention both in construction and operation will becomev apparent as the following description proceeds in view of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a controlled device and remote control means therefor;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram for the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective similar to Fig. 1,but including visual indicating means at the controlled device;

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram for the device of Fig. 3; while Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram for a modified arrangement of the remote control.

The remote control device of the present invention is intended for use with a controlled apparatus such as the device ID of Fig. 1 and which includes an operating or actuating instrumentality or handle I I arranged for limited idle stroke operation by the patron for the purpose of setting up 'a signal at the control panel. In one embodiment, as seen in Fig. 2, the control member H is latched by an arm I2 arranged on a rocker l3 having a snap-action spring l4 adapted to hold the same in either of its extreme positions. When the arm [3 is snapped into the dotted line position by means such as the electromagnet IS, the latching member I2 is withdrawn so that the handle or control instrumentality ll may be selectively cut into or out of circuit with the switch l6 and battery I! by setting a switch 20 onto one or the other of its contacts 21 or 22. As seen in Fig. 2,-the lamp 19 is arranged in circuit with the switch l6 so that when the handle II is pushed in, the lamp will light, and. i 1

this lamp is arranged on the control panel 23 (Fig. 1) so as to attract the attention of the attendant.

Having determined the number of operations f or items of merchandise which the'patron desires, the attendant may push the button 24 on the control panel and efiect the release of a I latching dog 25 (Fig. 2)' and the simultaneous "operation'of 'a release switch 26 connected'by a conductor 21 with one'side of the trippingmagnet I5, the other side of which is connected by a common conductor 28 with one side of the battery I 1. The other side of this battery 'iscon nected for the return circuit of magnet IE to the switch 26 by a conductor 29. Thus,jwhen the button 24 'is pushed, the switch 26 is c'losed'to operate the release magnet l5 and the rocker I3 is attracted and snapped by its s'pringl'4 to j withdraw the latch arm l2 so that the handle H maybe manipulated freely.

By operating the handle or instrument'ality ll successively, the patron may cause its inner end j 'l l "to engage and operate a lever M, constituting acontrol for the apparatus I 0, and the gang switch including a switch 30, one side of which is connected by conductor 3| to. the common conductor 28 and thence to battery, theotherside of the switch 30 being connected by conductor 32 to one side. of ajstepping solenoid 33, the return side of'which leads via conductor 34 back to the battery I1. Therefore, each full stroke operation of the member H energizes the solenoid 33 so that its armature 35 may actuate a ratchet arm 36 engageable with a ratchetwheel 31 to step a wiping contact arm 38 in a clockwise direction once, for each operation vof the handle or instrumentality.

x This advance. or stepping movement of the contact arm 38 is effected against the tension of a conventional return clock spring (not shown) on the shaft 39 of the ratchet 31, so that when the attendant initially operated the push button 24 to effect the simultaneous operation of the master or resetting switch 26 and the latching dog 25, the clock spring returnedthe contact *on'd one of the gang switches 30 will be closed signal appears on the lamp H3 or bell l8, the

arm 38 in an anti-clockwise directionto a position corresponding to zero position adjacent that .shown inFig. 2. a

The contact arm 38 sweeps over an insulating base 40 onwhich arearranged a plurality of ber, v42, delineated onthe base 40 and visible through an opening 43 in the contact a'rmwhen the same. is in contacting engagement with one of the several contacts 4|. Thus, each time the spaced contacts 4| engageable by the arm 38 successively as the same is advanced. Corresponding to each of these contacts 4| is a numthrough the opening 43. This stepping switch is mounted behind the remote control panel 23 in such manner that the apertured or sight opening portion 43 of the arm 38 and the several indicating numbers are visible through an arouate window 44 in order that the attendant may be apprized of the number of operations of the device I 0 by the patron, once it has been released. In order to limit or predetermine the number of operationsby the patron, the controlled panel 23 'is provided with a selecting arm 45 pivoted on the shaft 39 and having a handle portion 46 protruding through an arcuate slot 4! in the panel 23 for access to the attendant so that he may set'the arm opposite any of the numbers, 42, appearing through the window 44. Mounted on the arm 45 is a wiping contact finger 48 engageablewith a contact 4| corresponding to the number before which the handle 46 is set.

Having released the controlled device In for operation by manipulation of the push button 24; and having set the handle Mien-the selector arn'r 45 before the number 4, for example as "seen in Fig. 2, the patron may reciprocate the arm 38 one contact in advance until the contact "arm' 38 engages the particular contact 4| corresponding to the number 4, whereupon the sectoenergize the latching magnet 50, through the conductor'tl connected to the common battery conductor'28, conductor 52, and a returncircuit 53 leading through the contact arm 38, the particular contact 4|, the wiping contact 48 and a return conductor 54 back 'to the battery ll.

Energization of the latching magnet 59 rocks the arm I3 into the full line position and projects the latching arm [2 in the path of movement'of the member II so that the latter can be moved onlyin its partial or idle stroke operation to actuate the signal switch l6. In this condition the apparatus is prepared for a repetition of the foregoing cycle, and as soon as a new operator may push the button 24 and cause the stepping contact arm 38"to be restored to initial pos'iti'on'by means of a clock spring.

'Inth'e arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that the controlled mechanism including the rocker arm l3, the release magnet l5, latching magnet 50, switches ll, 30 and 30 are all arranged in the controlled device l0, this mechanism being operably linked for cooperation with the remote control unit by means such as the cable .9.

In Fig, 3, there is shown a typeof control which includes a visual indicator on both the control panel and the controlled device, the op erating mechanism,-for which is schematically illustrated in Fig. 4 and includes a reciprocable actuating, instrumentality 59 mounted on the housing ll) and having an actuating switch 6! operated upon each reciprocation ofthe same. ,This switch Bl is arranged in circuit with a supervisory switch 62 connected by conductors 63 and $4 with one side of the battery 65, the, return vside of which is connected by a conductor 66 through a stepping solenoid 61 and, conductor 68 to thereturn side of switch 6|. Thus, closing of. the switch 6| by operation of the handle fill-is ineifective to operate the stepping solenoid .Elunlcss the switch62 is closed.-

91 to permit the supervisory -the supervisoryqswitchl62, whereupon further manipulation: of the; handle 66 will be ineffective Normally the switch 62 is open, and it is necessary before the device I6 can be operatedby the patron, that he push the button .69 arranged in a control box .16 mounted on the side of the controlled apparatus I6; Operation of the button 69 closes the switch 1I connected by a conductor 12 with a switch 13 which in turn is selectively operable for connection with either a'lamp 14 or a buzzer 15, both mounted on the panel of the remote control device 16. This will attract the attendants attention, and he may push amaster control button 11 for the purpose of simultaneously closing a release switch 18 and operating a release dog 19 to permit the anti-clockwise restoring movement of an arm 86 driven by a conventional return clock spring (not shown) connected with its ratchet wheel 8!, as in the case of the return operation of the stepping switchexplained in conjunction with Fig. 2. In this instance, however, the arm 86 is merely provided with a sight opening 82 positionable in register with any of the digits arranged to be visible through a sight Opening 84 on the control panel 16, so that the attendant may be apprized of the number of times the device I6 has been operated by the patron.

Manipulation of the button 11 by the attendant, in addition to eifecting the restoration of the indicating arm 86, closes the switch 18 which is connected by a conductor 85 with one side of the battery 65, and by a conductor 86 with a release magnet 81 and a supervisory magnet 88, the

return circuit for which is completed through a conductor 89 back to battery 65. Thus, closing the switch 18 energizes the release magnet 81 and the supervisory magnet 88, magnet 81 attracting a latch dog 96 which releases a ratchet wheel 9| for return in an anti-clockwiserdirection by conventional clock spring means (not shown) to an initial or starting position so as to dispose th combination indicating and contact arm 92 on the first contact 93 of a sequence all connected in common by a conductor 94 with a stepping solenoid 95. The simultaneous operation of the supervisory magnet 88 attracts a switch operating arm 96 to close the supervisory switch 62, the arm 96 being latched in this condition by a release dog 91 so that the switch 62 will remain closed. The dog 91 is retracted and thus the main operating circuit through the switch 6I will be set up, and the patron may reciprocate the handle 66, and each time he does so the solenoid 61 will step the ratchet 9I successively over the contacts 93-93 through its connection with a ratchet drive arm 98. Each time the ratchet arm 98 is reciprocated, the switch 99 is closed and, through its connection by a conductor I66 with conductor 64 and battery 65 to ground, will energize the amusement or like apparatus IAalso connected to ground and by a conductor "II to a wiper segment I62 which is contacted by the arm 92 so that a circuit will be completed successively through the contacts 93, the conductor 94 and solenoid 95, back to battery; and each time the contact 92 steps, the indicating arm 86 on the control panel is likewise stepped.

This particular arrangement is intended to give the patron a fixed number of operations, in this instance ten, so that when the arm 92 has been stepped ten times, it will engage and close a resetting switch I63 in circuit by a conductor I64 with battery 65 and by conductor I65 with a resetting magnet I66 adapted to release the dog latch arm 96 to open normalrby operation ofthepush button 11. I

The stepping switch; 9I-92 is arranged ;in the housing 16, the switch arm 92; having a sight ,opening 92' which passes before a window 16f, so nthat indicating digits mayv be .yiewedthrough i the opening 92' to apprize the patron of the numconnected with the stepping switch, and like the others it is arranged .on thecontrolled' amusement or. other deviceas in the case of the member 66, of Fig. 3. In order to transmit a signalto the remote control panel, the member H6 is moved inwardly, whereupon thenose III of a latch dog will be urged bya sprin I I2 into an opening H3 in the member Hfl and cause the dog to be pivoted as at H4 in an anti-clockwise direction to close a switch H5 connected by a conductor H6.with a signals; and through the latter by a conductor H1 to one side of a battery H8, the" return circuitjor which ,is ycompleted through a conductor.,I I9 back through the switch H5. Thus the signal, which is situatedon the control panel as irrthe case of the previously described devices, will attract the attendant who'may depress a push button I26 to release .a latch dog ,I2I so that a ratchet wheel I22 may be-restored by a clock spring mechanism (not shown) in an anti-clockwisedirection in a position so-that an indicating arm.I23 mounted on the ratchet wheel will be restored to an initial position where, for example, the indicating number, 'I will be visible through a sight opening -I24 in the end of arm I23, this sight opening being visible through a window, such as the window 84 in thecontrol panel of Fig. 3. Simultaneously .With the release of the latch uog I2 I. by operation of the button I26, the master switch I25 is closed to complete a circuit via conductor I26 through a releasemagnet I21 and a latch magnet I28 and via a return conductorI29 back to one side of the battery I I8, the opposite side of which is connected by a conductor I36 to the other side of the release I25. v

The release magnet I21 and latch magnet I28 are thus energized simultaneously, the former releasing a latch ,dog I21 to permit anti-clockwise, return movement of the ratchet wheel I36 by its return spring mechanism (not shown) as in the case of the other stepping switches, and

magnet I28 pivoting the latch dog II I in a clockwise direction so as to dispose an end I3I thereof in a notch I32 on a pivoted dog I33 normally urged in a clockwise. direction by a spring I34.

In this way it will be apparent that the dog III cannot engage an opening I I3 and this operating .instrumentality may be movedthrough its full stroke to pivot a ratchet drive arm I35 into operative engagement with an operating lever M and constituting part of the apparatussuch as III or I6',andalsoto turn its ratchet wheel I36 'inlan advancing .Tor clockwise direction. The advancing movement of the ratchet I36 successively'positi'ons acontact arm I31 into engagement with one ofa plurality of common contacts I38, there being-a sight opening I39'in the arm I31 {and through which indicating digits are visible cuit from battery II8 through a solenoid I40 via a conductor I, the common contacts I38, the switch arm I 31 and thence to ground, back to the other side II9 of the battery, is interrupted so that the ratchet drive arm I42 for the ratchet wheel 122 will be reciprocated to step theindi- 'cating'arm" I23 once for each operation of the handle IIO until the arm I23 hasmade a prede- "termined'fin' this instance ten) number of steps, so as tojcause its contact finger I23 to engage an end-contact I43 'and close a circuit from the ground'sid'e of the battery, conductor I 30, contact 12 3',- end contact I43, conductor I44, through a tripping magnet I45 and a return conductor I46 back to theother side of the battery.

Energizationof the tripping magnet I45 pivots'latching'armpr dog I33 to withdraw'the notch portion I32 from latching engagement with the end I3I of the main dog so that the nose "portion III of the latter will again fall into the opening II3 when the handle III] is manipulated, such manipulation,'howeve'nbeing insufiicicnt to "operatathe-ratchet mechanism I35, so that it will be necessary'for the attendant again to operate the'control button to actuate thedogs I2 I, I21 and III, and the master switch I25.

It is to be un'derstood that the local control mechanism IIO, III, I3'|'I38, is all situated in the controlled amusement or other apparatus, while the masterswitch I25 and indicating mechanism I2 2-'I23' is disposed in the remote control unit. 1 V

The foregoing particularly described embodiiments of the invention are illustrative of only a preferred arrangementand are not intended to excludeother' and equivalent arrangements, nor any modifications orcombinations thereof commg fairly" within the scope of the appended claimsi I Having thus described-my invention, what I claim as "new and desire to protect by Letters Patent isi" I 1'. In combination, controlled apparatus having an operating instrumentality adapted to be operated by apatron, releasablemeans normally latching "said 'instrumentality against effective movement andnot accessibleto' the patron, and 'a remote control unit "stationed; at 'a'distance from'said apparatus, means operatively linking said apparatus "and remote control unit, signal means in said unit, means in said controlled apparatus [and adapted to be set into operation by the patron for actuating said ,signal means, means in said control unit adapted to be actuated by an attendant for releasing said latching "means oithejbohtrolled apparatus, and mechanism.selectivelypperable in said remote control unit by the attendantjaforesaid for permitting a determined number'offoperations of said control instriim tality and thereafter automatically latching the latter against effective"moveinent.

7 said operating switch effective operation to actuate said principal mechanism, electrical means in said machine and actuated by means at said remote unit for unlocking said manual control, and means ineluding a manually set selector switch in said unit and cooperable means actuated by said 'manual control upon each effective operation 'eiiective actuation, means in said control apparatus for releasing said releasable means, and selectively adjusted means in said control apparatus for effecting automatic operation of said releasable means to lock said operating member after a selectively determined number of operations of said operating member.

4. In combination with a public-patronized machine having a manually operated control, a remote control device including a unit placed at a distance from said machine and having a "master switch, a signal device operated by means on said machine, a control switch on said machine and operated by said manually operated control, a supervisory switch normally rendering means in said machine controlled by said master switch for operating said supervisory switch to render the operating switch efiective, a controlled apparatus constituting an operative part .of said machine and actuated by said operating switch, electrically actuated stepping switch mechanism including visual step-indicating means therefor for indicating the number of operations of said manual control and arranged for operation by said control switch to render said supervisory switch inoperative after said operating switch has been operated a determined number of times, electrically operable visual indicating means in said remote unit and connected for cooperation with saidstepping switch mechanism for indication in unison with the indicating means thereof, and conductive means operably linking said machine and remote control unit. v V

5 The device of claim 4 further including a "housing for attachment exteriorly of said maineifective, releasable the machine, electrical dog operating means in said machine for rendering the dog means ineffective whereby to permit actuation of the machine by said control attendant-operated master switch means in said unit and arranged for actuating said dog operating means, stepping switch means in said unit and connected for operation of said dog operating means to render said dog means normally effectivewhen said actuating control has been operated a deter mined number of times, stepping switch means operated by said actuating control in said machine and connected to operate said stepping switch means in the unit, and means operatively interconnecting said machine and control unit for cooperation as aforesaid.

'7. The device of claim 6 in which said several mally locking said control against effective operation but arranged to permit a limited idle stroke movement thereof, and a remote control unit including electrically operable signal'means actuated by switch means in said machine and arranged for operation by said control responsive to idle stroke movement thereof, electrical detent-operating mechanism insaid machine and arranged to lock and release said detent means, attendant-operated means in said unit for actuating said detent-operating mechanism to effect release of the detent and permit effective operation or said control, and attendant-operated selecting mechanism in said unit and. arranged to automatically actuate said detent-operating mechanism to lock said control against effective operation after the same has been effectively operated a predetermined number of times, and means providing operative connection between said remote control unit and said detent-operating mechanism and said switch means in said patronized machine.

9. In combination, a patronized machine and a remote control device therefor, said machine having a principal mechanism and a manual control for actuating the same and electrically operated supervisory means arranged in a normal condition to render operation of said manual control ineffective to actuate said principal mechanism, a signal at said remote control device, and patron-operated means at said machine for actuating said signal, attendant-operated means at said remote control device for actuating said supervisory means to render said manual control effective to actuate said principal V mechanism, visual-indicating counting mechanism in both the patronized machine and the control device, means under the control of said manual control for effecting operation of said counting mechanisms in unison responsive to each operation of said control, and means cooperable with one of said counting mechanisms for automatically effecting operation of said supervisory means to render the manual control ineffective to actuate the principal mechanism as aforesaid upon indication of a predetermined count by said counting mechanism, and means providing a remote control connection between said machine and control device.

10. The device of claim 9 in which said manual control is arranged for limited movement when said supervisory means is in normal condition and'is arranged to operate said means for actuating the signal,

11'. The device of claim 9 further characterized by the provision of restoring means for restoring said counting mechanisms to an initial counting condition, one of said restoring means being arranged for mechanical operation at said control device by an attendant, and the other restoring means being arranged for operation by electrical means cooperably controlledby switch means actuated by said first-mentioned restoring means.

12. The combination, with a patronized machine including a principal operating mechanism and a manually operable control'therefor, of a remote control device operatively linked with said machine and including signal means ar-' ranged for operation by means in said machine,

an actuating switch in said machine and arranged for operation by manipulation of said manual control under control of a supervisory switch, an electrically operable supervisory switch in said machine and arranged in circuit with said actuating switch and a source of power for ef-- fecting-operation of said principal mechanism, an electrically operable limit switch arranged for operation a predetermined number of times to render said supervisory switch ineifective, visual indicating means arranged in view of the patron at said machine to indicate the number of times the same has been operated responsive to manipulation of said control, and a second electrically operable indicating means at said device and arranged for operation in unison with said limit switch for indicating the number of operations or the machine as aforesaid at said remote control device, manually operable means at said device for resetting said second indicating means from indicating position to an initial position, electrical resetting means at said machine and actuated by switch means at said remote control device and operably controlled by said manually operable resetting means for resetting said limit switch to an initial position, said last-mentioned switch means arranged for cooperation with said supervisory switch to render the latter inefiective whenever said resetting means is actuated.

13. In combination, a patron-operated machine including a manual control, a detent arranged for movement by said control and normally operable to permit limited movement of said control which is inadequate to operate said machine, a signal switch operable by said detent means responsive to movement thereof by limited movement of the control, a first electrical means for rendering said detent means ineffective, release switch means arranged at a distance from said machine for actuating said first electrical means, automatic locking means in said machine for holding said detent means released, electrical means energizable to release said locking means and effect return of said detent means to said normal condition, a limit switch also arranged at a distance from said machine for cooperation with said release switch and operable a predetermined number of steps from an initial position to energize said last-mentioned electrical means, manually released means cooperable with said limit switch and said release switch means for effecting operation of the latter and also effecting restoration of said limit switch to said initial position, said limit switch being arranged to give visual indication of the number of steps taken from said initial position, a step by step indicator at said machine and ratchet mechanism for moying'the same in steps froman initial po sition and arranged for actuation by reciprocation of-said manualrcontrol, together with electricalvmeans for efiecting restorative movement of 1 said: ratchet; mechanism to returnsaid indi-' cating mechanism .to ,initialjposition; said lastmentioned {electrical means being operated by said releaseswitch';

14.: In a machine adapted to'be patronized by the public, the combination of a manual control forjoperating; said machine, and remote control mechanism including the provision in said machine of "electrically: operable latch means normeansjin said-'unitqoperablycontrolled by said" manual control in the machine 'for energizing said latch means whensaid manualcontrolhas' been operated-ja certainnumber of times.

- -15.- In *a machine adaptedto be patronized by the public',jthe combination of a manual controlfol fiperatingsaid'm'achine'and remote control mechanism including the provision in said machine of electrically operablelatch means normally- -latching said control against effective operatiombutpermitting limitedidle movement oi the control, and a remote control unit adapted tobe placed" at a, distance'fromsaid machine and havingv electrical connections with" said latch means, master control means in said unit to be operated by an attendant to-energize said latch tion by said control, a remote control unit adaptmeans and efiect releaseof the same to free saidcontrol for efiective operation, electrical means insaid unit operably controlled by said manual control in the machine for energizing said latch means when said manualcontrol has been operateda certain number of times, an electrically operated signal in said unit and switch means arranged for actuation by limited idle stroke movement of'said manual control to apprise the attendant that it is desired to operate said machine -and visual indicating means in said unit and coacting with said master control means for indicating the number of effective operations of said manual control in the patronized machine.

16;. The combination, with a machine adapted to be patronized and having a main control manually actuated by a patron to set the machine into operation, of remote control mechanism comprising: electrically operated latch means normally latching said machine against operaed to be situated at a distance from said machine, means providing electrical operating connections between said unit and machine, electrically operated signal means in said unit and operated by means at said machine and adapted to be actuated by the patron to signal an attendant at the unit of the patrons desire to use the machine, means in said unit adapted to be operated by an attendant for releasing said latch means in said unit, means in said unit adapted to be selectively operated by an attendant for limiting the number of operations-of said machine by saidmain control'when the latch means is released as aforesaid and automatically operating to'restore said latch means to latched conditionfollowing operation of the machine the selected number of times;

ARCHIE H. BECHTOL- 

